We understand that times are tough for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With viewership of the Academy Awards declining almost yearly, especially among young viewers, you were feeling some pressure to deliver, shall we say, a "hipper" awards show.

So you asked James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host this year. We get it. It was a monetary decision. But we can all agree it was also a catastrophic failure, and now it's time to move forward. It's time to think ahead. It's time to draw the only logical conclusion one can reach: that, in 2012, the correct choice for host of the Academy Awards is Stephen T. Colbert.

Mr. Sherak, we love the Oscars, and so our request comes from the most genuine desire that the ceremony should be nothing short of awesome. We believe that Stephen T. Colbert can make this happen. We thank you for your time and consideration, and hope you will do what's right: What's right for the Academy, what's right for the viewers. What's right for America. And also the world.

Sincerely,

Kate Stayman-London started this petition with a single signature, and now has 55 supporters. Start a petition today to change something you care about.